The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a review of the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Business Rules as part of efforts to deepen competition, strengthen regulation and expand access to telecommunications services across the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this on Thursday during a one-day MVNO Business Rules Stakeholders Forum in Abuja.
Represented by the Commission’s Director of Licensing and Authorisation, Usman Mamman, Maida said the review is designed to promote innovation and improve the regulatory framework guiding MVNO operations, creating a more competitive and inclusive telecommunications ecosystem.
He said the MVNO business rules were developed to provide clarity on licensing requirements, operational responsibilities and the relationship between MVNOs and host Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), while safeguarding consumer interests and preserving market integrity.
“The MVNO business rules are intended to clarify licensing, operational responsibilities, and relationships with host network operators while protecting consumer interests and maintaining market integrity.
“At the same time, we expect full compliance, and the Commission will continue to exercise its regulatory powers to ensure all operators adhere strictly to the established guidelines,” he said.
Mamman explained that the introduction of MVNOs into Nigeria’s telecom industry followed years of consultations with stakeholders and was designed to accommodate different business models and varying technical and operational capabilities.
According to him, the framework allows qualified operators to provide mobile communication services using the infrastructure of existing MNOs without owning radio spectrum or deploying nationwide radio access networks.
He revealed that the NCC has so far issued 46 MVNO licences across five operational tiers, comprising one Tier 1 licence, 11 Tier 2 licences, 16 Tier 3 licences, seven Tier 4 licences and 11 Tier 5 licences.
Earlier, the NCC’s Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, Chizua Whyte, said the draft business rules were developed to establish a clear operational framework for MVNOs within Nigeria’s communications sector.
She noted that the emergence of MVNOs presents significant opportunities to enhance competition, drive innovation, encourage service differentiation and expand consumer choice.
Whyte added that the stakeholders’ forum was convened to obtain industry input that would strengthen the regulatory framework before its final approval.
Also speaking, President of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators of Nigeria (AMVON), Ken Nwabueze, urged the Commission to address concerns surrounding revenue-sharing arrangements and ensure effective enforcement of the proposed business rules.
